boettner



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. L` BOETTNER CONCRETE FORMS AND SYSTEM March l0, 1964 Filed April 21, 1961 March 10, 1964 J. L.. BOETTNER 3,123,887

CONCRETE FORMS AND SYSTEM Filed April 2l, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIL 5 Joseph L. Boefner ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oli 3,123,837 SNCRETE FRMS AND SYSTEM Joseph L Boettner, Denver, Coin., assigner to KC. Conshuction Supply Co., Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Filed Apr. 21, wl, Ser. No. 104,677 6 Ciaims. (Ci. Z5-431) This invention relates to concrete It'orms and a system utilizing such fonms for concrete construction, and more particularly to temporarily joinable panels and joining means for making forms ttor building structures of concrete, including such structures of the reinforced type as walls, slab iioors, ceilings, slab roofs, and the like.

Many different systems and associated mechanisms have been proposed and used in the prior art for building forms which support concrete in its wet and slumpable position. Such forms, or .generically molds, range from the custom built type wherein a form is built in situ for a particular structure and on disassembly is essentially destroyed, to system-s utilizing -reusable panels which are secured together by numerous types of hardware. In the latter type of construction, the individual panel sections are generally formed with a plywood face mounted on a rigid steel frame, having reinforcing llanges, which eX- tends perpendicularly la substantial distance `from the plywood face itself. The iframe, therefore, provide-s peripheral edges of ilanges which may be joined to the ilanges of adjacent panels. Such panels are joined together by bolts and the like, the holes through the iianges must, therefore, bey accurately placed so as to match lthe holes of adjacent panels. The panels are bulky with the flanges being several times thicker than tlhe width of the plywood face, increasing storage problems. Even where a steel face is provided in place of the plywood, the ii-anges must be of substantial thickness to provide sufficient rigidity for supporting the concrete which is placed against it. In all such systems various types of hardware are used for joining the panels together, and tor securing the panels to shoring the walers for support and corre-ct alignment. In many of such systems, after the concrete which the system is supporting is hardened, the bolts and pins and hardware are removed for dismantling of the form sections. Such pins and hardware are generally small, substantial numbers lare lost and, under ideal conditions, they are still considered expendable items.

According to the present invention, I have provided a simplified panel form which is thin, very strong, and has no extending iianges beyond the two closely spaced faces of the panel. Each panel is provided with at least opposed edge molding members which are arranged to seal together, and are arranged to be held together by mean-s of a key member so that the panels are held in edgewise alignment with their cement contacting vfaces flush. This positive, ush alignment prevents otlset at the joints between the panels. The keys, furthermore, provide means for easily attaching the panels to shoring and waling members. The key members are internal clamping members. Thus, they may be placed at any position along the molding so that the supporting members for the panels need not be accurately spaced apart in relation to the panel fastening means. `-In addition, the invention provides means for interconnecting not only side-byside panels, but also end-to-end panels and to provide a load transferring connection for an intersection of four panels, relieving the necessity of having a shoring member directly under the joints between panels.

Included among the objects and advantages of the present invention is a light-weight concrete form panel which is arranged for easy and Afast temporary interconnection with adjacent members lfor providing a mold form for concrete structures. The invention provides thin, essen- 3,123,887. Patented Mar'. 10, 1964 ice 2 tially rigid panels having edge mounted moldings which cooperate with the moldings of adjacent panels to provide a keyway into which a key may be placed for temporarily holding the panels together in accurate alignment and provide means for temporarily securing the held-together panels to support members. The invention, furthermore, provides means for interlocking four adjacent panels and to provide lload-bearing means between said panel members so as to support a concrete load without the necessity of having supporting members directly adjacent the interconnection between ad-jant panels. r[The invention provides means for easily and accurately aligning the concrete contacting sur-faces of form panels.

These and other objects and advantages may be readily ascertained by referring to the `following description and appended illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan View of a series of panels interconnected by panel connecting means aocording to the invention, mounted on shore members for supporting concrete during setting thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clamping mechanism for use ywith the panel connecting means according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing one form of a connecting means for panels according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of a pair of panels and connecting means in partial cross-section, showing a modified key and panel connecting mechanism according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of a connecting means, according to the invention, mounted on a panel and securing the same to a shore member;

FlG. 6 is an `end elevation of a modied connector including a modied key member, according to the invention, showing the temporary fastening of the member on a different type of shore member;

FIG. 7 is an end elevation in partial cross-section showing a modied key arrangement; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevation in partial cross-section showing a non-captive key arrangement, according to the invention.

One method of using the device according to the invention, for securing a plurality of panels together, to form a bed for supporting a concrete floor or roof during setting of the cement poured thereon is shown in FIG. 1. In this instance, a plurality of rectangular panels labeled A through E, inclusive, are secured together and are placed on supports I0 by means of clamping members 11, described in detail below. In accordance with the invention these clamping members hold the panels together with the upper concrete Contactin(7 surface in planar alignment, and secures the held-together panels onto horizontal shore members 10. That set of panels is joined, by means of load-transfer members I2, to another set of panels labeled E through H, inclusively. In a similar manner these panels are secured together and are held on the horizontal support members by means of the clamp members 11. For conventional forms for floor or ceiling construction, the horizontal shore members 11 must be accurately spaced apart and secured in position by means of vertical shore members which are normally adjustable in height for providing a means for leveling the forms. For the system of the present invention, the shoring members need not be accurately spaced since the clamping devices may be placed in any position along the edge of a panel.

While the drawing of FIG. l illustrates the use of the panels supported on the horizontal shores iii, it is within the concepts of the invention to utilize the panels and the clamping members as vertical forms for forming walls, etc. The horizontal shoring members i0 may be of any convenient type, however, in one embodiment of the invention the clamping member for the panels is arranged for use with a commercially available shoring member called a Span-All. The action of the panel clamping member will be, therefore, illustrated in relation to such shoring members, it is to be recognized, however, that the invention is not limited to the particular shoring member but the system is readily adaptable for any type of shoring member.

One form of clamping device for use with panels according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which a panel (normally rectangular) is made of two face members, one face being a concrete contacting face which is secured to a core member 16, and an opposite face 17 which is, likewise, secured to a core member. In accordance with applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 104,676, now Patent 3,047,931, the core material of the panel may be a foamed plastic, honeycomb construction, lattice work of wood, metal or other material, and it is preferred that the face pieces 15 and 17 be secured sandwich-like to the core by means of a high-strength, resinous adhesive for ease of construction and strength and durability of the panel. Other fastening means are, of course, usable. An edging member 18, which is rabbeted, is secured to the core and to the facing member 15 by means of a high-strength resin adhesive or the like, and an opposing edging member or trimmer piece 19 is, likewise, secured to the core and to the facing 17, in addition to being secured to the other edging member or trimmer piece 18. The edging member may be any suitable material, and in one form as illustrated it is a wooden member which is easily worked and readily secured by means of an adhesive to the face and to the core. A metallic molding strip 20, which has a reverse bend end portion 21, is mounted on each edge of the panel and it includes a dovetail section 24 which lits into the under-cut rabbeted end members 19 and 18. The lower end of the molding strip 25 is likewise bent back along itself and secured to the face 17. The metal molding strip may be secured to the panel by means of high-strength resinous adhesive or by any other con* venient means.

The molding strip, when made of relatively thin sheet metal, is relatively inexpensive and is easily formed and provides protection for the edges of the panel. In one form, the molding strip, including the grooves, is extended completely around the peripheral edges of the panel, and since such panels are normally rectangular the edging extends around the four sides. It is noted that the bent-back edge 20 is essentially flush with the surface of the facing member 15, and it is arranged to seat against an opposing similar member on the opposite panel when secured together by a key. The edging molding may be any type of sheet metal, e.g. steel, aluminum, etc., which is easily formed into shape or it may be a synthetic plastic which is extruded into proper shape and secured to the edges of the panel by means of highstrength resin, or the like. In some instances it may be satisfactory to form the edging members 18 and 19 and the molding 21 as a single piece, as for example by extruding the combined members in the proper shape, providing the dovetail raceway, for attachment along the edge of the panel.

The key, which in the instance of FIGS. 3 and 4 is a captive key, is reciprocably mounted in the raceways of the panels and it includes a dovetail member 30, which is slidably mounted in the dovetail raceway. A depending arm 31 is secured to the key, as by welding 33 or other means, and this extends outwardly from the panels from dovetail, double raceway between the two adjacent panels. The key 31 FIG. 3 is welded so that it extends at an angle a to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key itself. This slight angle a provides a means for a positive locking of the clamping device 39 which secures the two arms 31 together and temporarily locks the secured-together arms against the panels themselves.

The arms 31 include at hole 34 and a planar portion 35, which extends beyond the hole. A biased edge surface 36 is arranged adjacent the panel when the key is mounted in the slot, and spaced therefrom is a slot 37, both of which are arranged to temporarily lock the key device against a shoring member, and thereby temporarily lock the panels to the shoring.

The clamping member includes a body portion 40, shown in FIG. 2, which has a rounded end 41 arranged for bearing against a panel, and a boss or post 42 extending perpendicularly to the planar body 40. A clamp member 43 which includes an upper jaw 44 and a lower jaw 45 are arranged to hold the face-to-face mounted arms therebetween, and to essentially temporarily lock the arms together. A removal extension 47 depends outwardly beyond the jaws 44 and 45 and provides means for applying a pry tool for removing the clamping mechanism from the held arms.

In the form shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the method of attachment of the panels to a horizontal or vertical shore member is illustrated. :In this instance an arm 50 which is mounted to a key member 51, explained in detail below, has a slot or groove `52 which is arranged to seat on a flange 53 shoring member 54. Thus when the key is mounted in the keyway of the panel, the arm may be attached to the shoring member. By moving the clamp 39 into clamping position, the key is held tightly against the panel 55 and the panel is secured to the shoring 53. In the application of the device as shown in FIG. 6, the arm Sil is secured with its biased surface 56 held against a shoring member 57 which includes a mating biased flange member 58, so that when the key is forced against the biased surface 58 the panels will be held against the shoring.

In the form shown in FIG. 7, a panel 60 includes a concrete facing member 61 and an opposed member 62 which sandwich a core 63. An edging member or molding 63, which is similar to the molding 20 of FIG. 4, is secured to the edge of the sandwiched panel by means of an adhesive or other convenient fastening members. The facing members 61 and 62 are, likewise, fastened to the core by means of an adhesive resin or other suitable fastening mechanism. The key includes a dovetail member 65, which is arranged to seat in the dovetail groove of one panel, and an extending bar member 67 which releasably extends into the dovetail Igroove of the adjacent panel. An arm 50 is secured to the key member 65 and extends outwardly through the opening between the panels. The key 65 is captive in the groove in the one panel while the bar 66 merely provides a positioning means Ifor the panels to maintain the concrete contacting faces -61 flush. A clamp 39 mounted in the hole 54 in the arm 50 seats against the face 62 and secures the key in position against that panel. When the device is then secured against a shoring member, such as is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively, the device secures the one panel to the shoring member. By placing the keys along the adjacent panels with the keys turned alternately, i.e. the dovetail key in one and then the groove in the adjacent panels, the panels are easily and readily secured to the shoring member. This secures the panels with their concrete contacting surfaces flush forming a smooth surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper part of the rounded surface 41 has a flat section 46 lfor providing a positive seal against the panel and to prevent accidental displacement of the clamp.

Thus it is apparent that the key member of FIGS. 5 through 7 provides a partial, captive key and a partial non-captive key. As explained by reversing the position of the keys from one panel to the next along the same raceway, the panels may be secured to the shoring members.

A non-captive key is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein the panel sections 70 include a core 71, a concrete surface facing 72, and an opposite facing 73, secured to the core by any convenient means, and edging members 74 and 75. The members 74- and 75 are provided with a groove which is partially undercut and a molding 76 is arranged to cover the edge of the panel and maintain the partially undercut groove.

The load transfer members 12 of FIG. 1 are similar to the key of FIG. 4, or where desired of the coniiguration of BIG. 7 or 8 to iit in the Igrooves of the panel. For safety factor, the length of the key isdesirably somewhat longer than the other members to provide strength. The keys have the arms attached, preferably, for ease of manipulation and `for securing the adjacent panels together.

The clamping device includes akey 180i which is shaped to slide sideways into the groove of the panel. In this manner each 'key with its extending arm `81 may be positioned into the groove at any place along its length. With this arrangement, it is not necessary to have the key enter the groove only at the end as with the captive keys. In a manner similar to that of FIGS. 3, 4, etc., the arm `81. is provided with a hole (not shown) which accommodates the post 42 of the clamp 39. The post secures the arms together and the clamp, when turned to wedge against the panel, pulls down on the keys and holds them in the partial dovetail groove. Thus, the 'undercut of the groove holds the partial dovetail and prevents displacement until the clamp 39 is removed. By pullin-g down on the keys, the panels are moved into tlush alignment and held until the clamp is released.

While the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent other forms may be employed within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the groove may be other than dovetailed and still utilize the concept of the clamping key and keyway system. In addition, other clamping means for the extending arms will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise details set forth except as defined in the following claims.

I claim: f

4'1. A reusable panel system Afor making temporary concrete form structures comprising at least two panels arranged to be positioned edgewise adjacent one another in a common plane and to lform a concrete containing surface, each panel including a smooth planar concrete containing surface and an outside surface sandwiched over a strengthening core, an edging member mounted on at least the mating edges of said adjacent panels, said edging member extending across each panel and iiush with each surface, there being at least one raceway in each said edging member arranged to cooperatively be positioned and form with a similar raceway in the adjacent abutting panel an outwardly opening groove therebetween, the raceway in each panel including at least one undercut portion on the groove-side, a plurality of keys arranged to slidably t in said matingraceways and each having a portion to secure against the undercut in one of -the abutting panels yfor temporarily holding adjacent panels together, clam-p means externally of and adjacent said groove connected with each said key and bearing against at least one of said panels for temporarily clamping the key in said keyway and thereby hold said panels together, and means extending outwardly from said 6 keys in said groove for securing the same to shoring members.

2. A panel system according to claim 1 in which the key is a two piece assembly with each piece including a portion to secure against the undercut of the raceway and said clamp means connecting said key assembly together.

3. A panel system according to claim 1 in which the fkey is a two piece assembly and each piece includes an extending arm arranged for mating with an adjacent arm and said clamp means is releasably mounted on mating arms for securing said key assembly together and thereby holding said panels together.

4. A reusable panel system 4for forming concrete lform structures comprising a plurality of panels arranged to be positioned edgewise adjacent one another in a common plane and to yform a concrete containing surface, each panel including a smooth, planar concrete containing surface and an outside surface sandwiched over a strengthening core, an edging member mounted on the edges of said adjacent panels, there being at least one raceway in each said edging member extending along the length of each member and arranged to be cooperatively positioned with and form with a similar raceway in the adjacent abutting panel an outwardly opening groove therebetween, the raceway in Ieach panel including an undercut, a plurality of keys arranged to slidably vvit in said raceways and having a portion to secure against l.the undercuts of the adjacent panels for temporarily holding adjacent panels together, clamp means externally of and adjacent said groove connected with each said key and bearing against at least one of said panels for clamping said keys in said keyways and thereby maintain said panels together, and means cooperative with means extending from said keys in said keyway and said clamp means for securing the same to shoring members.

5. A panel system according to claim 4 in which the ',means for clamping the key in said keyways includes a cam means lfor wedging against the adjacent panel and thereby hold the key in position.

`6. A panel system according to claim 4 in which the means extending is an arm connected with each key and extending at a slight angle `to the longitudinal axis of the key, whereby the clamping means is secured against accidental displacement.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 953,383 Holman Mar. 219, 1910 1,486,935 Swanson et al Mar. 18, 1924 1,840,169 Nash Ian. 5, 1932 1,945,124 Strauss Ian. 30, 1934 2,170,637 Hatch et al. Aug. 22, 1939 2,438,140 Auten Mar. 23, 1948 2,602,983 Troiel July 15, 1952 2,652,595 Kish Sept. 22, 1953 2,863,185 Reidi Dec. 9, 1958 2,879,576 Imonetti Mar. 31, 1959 2,882,564 Couse et al. Apr. 21, 1959 2,898,659l Shoemaker Aug. 11, 1959 3,047,931 Boettner Aug. 7, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 771,558 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1957 

4. A REUSABLE PANEL SYSTEM FOR FORMING CONCRETE FORM STRUCTURES COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PANELS ARRANGED TO BE POSITIONED EDGEWISE ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER IN A COMMON PLANE AND TO FORM A CONCRETE CONTAINING SURFACE, EACH PANEL INCLUDING A SMOOTH, PLANAR CONCRETE CONTAINING SURFACE AND AN OUTSIDE SURFACE SANDWICHED OVER A STRENGTHENING CORE, AN EDGING MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE EDGES OF SAID ADJACENT PANELS, THERE BEING AT LEAST ONE RACEWAY IN EACH SAID EDGING MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF EACH MEMBER AND ARRANGED TO BE COOPERATIVELY POSITIONED WITH AND FORM WITH A SIMILAR RACEWAY IN THE ADJACENT ABUTTING PANEL AN OUTWARDLY OPENING GROOVE THEREBETWEEN, THE RACEWAY IN EACH PANEL INCLUDING AN UNDERCUT, A PLURALITY OF KEYS ARRANGED TO SLIDABLY FIT IN SAID RACEWAYS AND HAVING A PORTION TO SECURE AGAINST THE UNDERCUTS OF THE ADJACENT PANELS FOR TEMPORARILY HOLDING ADJACENT PANELS TOGETHER, CLAMP MEANS EXTERNALLY OF AND ADJACENT SAID GROOVE CONNECTED WITH EACH SAID KEY AND BEARING AGAINST AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PANELS FOR CLAMPING SAID KEYS IN SAID KEYWAYS AND THEREBY MAINTAIN SAID PANELS TOGETHER, AND MEANS COOPERATIVE WITH MEANS EXTENDING FROM SAID KEYS IN SAID KEYWAY AND SAID CLAMP MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAME TO SHORING MEMBERS. 